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Sabarimala
is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats.
This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayappa. The main pilgrimage is
undertaken between November and January.

There are two main rituals called the Mandal Puja and the Makara
Sankranti Puja, which is celebrated from November to mid-January in
Kerala during which time, the devotees perform austerities and penance.

The Pilgrimage
Devotees undergo rigorous penance and austere living before starting on
the pilgrimage. Regardless of caste, creed and colour they wear black
dhoties and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional
offerings like coconuts filled with ghee, camphor and rice.

The temple dome is covered with gold and the devotees break the
coconuts before climbing the steps.

Among
the pilgrims, there are a few who are undertaking the pilgrimage for the
first time while ther are a few who have been doing so for the past many
years.

The first timers are known as 'Kanni Swamis' and the leader of the
group is known as 'Guru Swami' or the lead person of a team who is
incharge of all the rituals.

Devotees take a ritual bath while climbing up the hill in the holy
river Pamba, which absolves one's sins. En route at Erumeli, in a
supreme instance of communal harmony, they pay obeisance at the shrine
of Vavar, a Muslim deity believed to be a close ally of Lord Ayyappa.

To ease the ardour of the long trek through the forests to the temple
at the peak of the Sabari Hills, devotees constantly chant the name of
the holy one. No women in the fertility age group are allowed into the
precincts of the shrine of the Lord who is considered to be an Eternal
Bachelor.